Helpful Links
The research projects and organizations below may provide useful information for your research or interests.
Research Initiatives
EarthScope is a bold undertaking to apply modern observational, analytical and telecommunications technologies to investigate the structure and evolution of the North American continent and the physical processes controlling earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Earthchem provides relational database that serves geochemical analyses of igneous rocks and minerals together with a wide array of metadata about the samples and the analytical procedure to the broad community of Earth scientists. Through EarthChem, you will find the ages and compositions of Cenozoic igneous rocks from western North America. To access tutorials and examples of teaching activities using EarthChem, see Geoscience Education in the New Cyberinfrastructure, Some Examples for Teaching Petrology.
The Geosciences Network (GEON) is developing cyberinfrastructure for integrative research to enable transformative advances in Geoscience research and education. The key science driver in GEON is a more quantitative understanding of the 4-D evolution of the North American lithosphere.
CHRONOS is working with the Earth science community to develop a dynamic, interactive and time-calibrated network of databases and visualization and analytical methodologies for sedimentary geology and paleobiology. The CHRONOS system provides a platform for modern, innovative Earth history research, hosts and develops educational resources, and gives access to the general public to new knowledge of Earth science facts and issues.
LITHOPROBE is Canada's national Earth science research project to investigate the 3-dimensional structure and evolution of Canada's landmass and continental margins. Research is conducted in a coordinated, integrated, multidisciplinary fashion for geological, geochemical and geophysical research.
State Geological Surveys
The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology is the principal source of earth science information for the citizens of Montana. Since 1919, it has been mandated to conduct research and assist in the orderly development of the state's mineral and water resources.
Idaho Geological Survey is the special public service and research agency at the University of Idaho to collect and disseminate geologic and mineral data for the state. The Survey studies and reports on the general geology, environmental geology and geologic hazards, metallic and nonmetallic deposits, surface and ground water, and energy resources in Idaho.
The Wyoming State Geological Survey mission is to promote the beneficial and environmentally sound use of Wyoming's vast geologic, mineral, and energy resources while helping protect the public from geologic hazards. By providing accurate information and expanding knowledge through the application of geologic principles, the Geological Survey contributes to economic growth and improvement in the quality of life for Wyoming's citizens.
The Washington Geological Survey is an excellent reference source for information about the geology and mineral resources of Washington.
Resources for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Yellowstone National Park is full of exciting geological features.
The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) was created as a partnership among the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Yellowstone National Park, and University of Utah to strengthen the long-term monitoring of volcanic and earthquake unrest in the Yellowstone National Park region. Yellowstone is the site of the largest and most diverse collection of natural thermal features in the world and the first National Park. YVO is one of the five USGS Volcano Observatories that monitor volcanoes within the United States for science and public safety.
The Yellowstone-Teton Epicenter database was designed with two purposes in mind. 1) To generate Yellowstone geographical, geological, and geophysical data and provide it in one central location. 2) To offer an online, almost real-time outlet for outreach and increased communication.
Education Resources
The Science Education Resource Center (SERC) works to improve undergraduate science education through projects that focus on supporting faculty. An office of Carleton College, our work is supported through National Science Foundation grants. The office has special expertise in geoscience education, community organization, workshop leadership, digital libraries, and website development.
The Montana Field Guide Database is a pilot project for making the field guide literature more accessible and useful to geoscience educators, students, and researchers. This database is a fully-searchable listing of 50 of the best references for exploring the geology of this fascinating region.
